I selected The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky as my independent reading book. I first heard about the book froma friend on Facebook. After analyzing the synopsis and pursuing to examine reviews of the book I decided that I would enjoy reading The Perks of Being a Wallflower for this independent reading project. As I proceeded to read the book it supported my idea that I would enjoy it. I found the main character to be relatabl and the plot remained interesting. The story had depth and layers that kept me engrossed.
Genre
The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a young adult epistolary novel. The novel can be characterized in the genre of young adult because the story is written to relate to teenage readers. An example of a young adult book is a novel pertaining to the coming of age. The Perks of Being a Wallflower can be described as a coming of age novel, because it describes the life and struggles of a young teen as he grows up. “I start high school tomorrow and I am really afraid of going.” (6) This type of plot typically interests and entertains young adult readers due to the fact the main character is relatable. The Perks of Being a Wallflower is also an epistolary novel. An epistolary novel is a novel written in a series of documents usually in the form of letters. The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a novel consisting only of written letters sent to a recipient that remains anonymous to the reader. Though epistolary novels have a subjective point of view, they offer intimate insight into the characters’ thoughts and feelings.
Summary
The Perks of Being a Wallflower depicts the protagonist’s, Charlie’s, life through a series of letters he has written to be received by a person who remains unknown to the reader. Charlie only knows of this person through the word of mouth of other people. Charlie describes the recipient of the letters by stating “…you listen and understand and didn’t try to sleep with that person at the party even though you could have.” (2) And “…I think you of all people are alive and appreciate what that means. I hope you do because other people look to you for strength and friendship and it’s that simple. At least that’s what I’ve heard.” (2)
Charlie is a young teen about to begin high school. His family consists of his mother, who he repeatedly refers to as quiet, his stern father who is not keen on touching, a brother in college, and a sister who is a senior in high school. Charlie emphasizes how he greatly looked up to and cherished his Aunt Helen, who died in a car accident. “My Aunt Helen was my favorite person in the whole world.”(5)
Before starting high school, Charlie makes it known that the previous spring his good friend committed suicide. Because of this, Charlie describes his current emotions going into high school by saying “I am both happy and sad and I’m still trying to figure out how that could be.” (2)
As high school begins for Charlie, he is not very enthusiastic about it. Charlie describes himself as “pretty emotional” and “lonely”. He doesn’t have any friends; Charlie is more of a person to observe people. Yet Charlie immediately makes a special connection with his advanced English teacher, Bill. Bill understands and sees Charlie’s skill at reading and understanding language, as a result Billl assigns Charlie many extra books and essays to complete. As school continues Charlie befriends two seniors, Patrick and Sam. Charlie is instantly drawn to Sam. “I thought Sam was very pretty and nice, and she was the first girl I ever wanted to ask on a date…” (20) Charlie finds comfort in Sam and Patrick because they accept him and care about him even though he tends to be awkward and not fit in.
Sam, Patrick, and even Bill persuade Charlie to attempt participating in life more, rather than just observing. Charlie is introduced to a whole new world filled with parties, dances, first dates, new songs, long nights, drugs, and drama. Charlie still struggles though as he tries to figure out who he is and if he should live his life to the fullest or continue running away from it. “I don’t know if you’ve ever felt like that. That you wanted to sleep for a thousand years. Or just not exist. I think wanting that is very morbid, but I want it when I get like this. That’s why I’m trying not to think. I just want it all to stop spinning.” (94) Sometimes everything becomes so convoluted for Charlie in his new life, with drama occurring inside the family and with his friends. “I know things get worse before they get better because that’s what my psychiatrist says, but this is a worse that feels too big.” (139) But his friends are always there for him.
As the year comes to a close, and Sam and Patrick are getting ready to graduate, Charlie reflects on everything that occurred to him the past year. From being a shy wallflower to somebody who participates in life more, Charlie has changed a lot. Charlie realizes how important his friends are to him and that his life has purpose. “I guess we are who we are for a lot of reasons. And maybe we'll never know most of them. But even if we don’t have the power to choose where we come from, we can still choose where we go from there. We can still do things. And we can try to feel okay about them.” (211)
Characters
Charlie
Charlie is the protagonist in The Perks of Being a Wallflower. Charlie tells his life stories through a series of letters sent to an unknown person. He is a freshman who is still suffering and is fragile from the suicide of a good friend “I wish I knew. It might make me miss him more clearly. It might have made sad sense.” (4) and the death of his favorite aunt “…something very bad happened to her.” (4). Charlie is a quiet person who spends his time inside his thoughts. “I keep quiet most of the time.” (7) He seems to have future aspirations, but he doesn’t pursue much to put his goals into play or even worry about the future. Charlie begins to explore the world and learn more about himself after meeting new friends, Sam and Patrick. Sam and Patrick introduce him to a new world of drugs, sexuality, love, parties, relationships, death, friendship, lies and culpability. Charlie learns about life and how hard it can be, but also how amazing it can be. Sam and Patrick and all of Charlie’s new friends helped him learn the perks of being a wallflower.
Sam
Sam is a senior who befriends Charlie. She is Patrick’s stepsister and is a main influence on Charlie’s life. Sam is very outspoken, motivated, and affable. “I’m going to do what I want to do. I’m going to be who I really am. And I’m going to figure out what that is.” (202) Sam has many different relationships throughout the book with different guys, all the while dismissing Charlie’s crush on her. “You know you’re too young for me, Charlie? You do know that? I don’t want you to waste your time thinking about me that way.” (22) Sam does this hoping that Charlie will explore options and learn to find other people. Sam changes Charlie in many ways, helps him grow up, and helps him learn what true love is. Charlie would not have matured as a person without Sam’s guidance, care, and love for him.
Patrick
Patrick is a senior and Sam’s stepbrother. Patrick is openly gay and for a period of time was secretly dating the school’s quarterback, Brad. Patrick is teased and bullied at school for being gay but due to his mature and carefree personality, it doesn’t affect him too much. Patrick makes a difference in Charlie’s life by influencing Charlie’s taste in music and by helping Charlie mature by exposing Charlie to a new way of life, but Patrick for a period of time is very dependent on Charlie. After a harsh ending with his boyfriend Patrick relies on Charlie to pick him back up and help him as he recovers. With Charlie’s help Patrick is able to become his happy carefree self again. “I’ll tell you something, Charlie. I feel good. You know what I mean? Like I’m free or something. Like I don’t have to pretend anymore. I’m going away to college, right? It’ll be different there. You know what I mean?” (156)
Big Ideas
Friendship
Charlie finds himself in very dark and sad places. Without the support and love of his friends he would not have been able to overcome certain dark and depressed parts of his life. On the contrast, Charlie would not have been in some of those depressed states without his friends. If he had stayed alone as a wallflower different fights, break ups, and controversies might have never occurred that caused such sadness. Charlie might not have been the best friend either, but everybody does what they can and for some reason something keeps them all together in a friendship that in inseparable.
Coming of Age
Charlie beginning the year with a wide eyed and childlike view on the world experiences many changes his freshman year. After meeting some of his best friends, beginning use in drugs and alcohol, as well as learning deep secrets pertaining to himself and his family, Charlie finds himself growing up and coming of age.
Literature and Writing
Charlie’s English teacher Bill encourages Charlie to read, and to think critically about his reading. As a result, throughout the story, Charlie reads many books that are usually great classics. Charlie also does many writing assignments on these books. The reader views Charlie’s writing in a very unique way because the novel is basically a large collection of Charlie’s writing and letters. Along with Charlie’s writing, the book makes many references to other writings and poems that help set moods in the story and provide layers and depth into the characters and plot.
Love
Many different types of love are present throughout the novel. Examples include love between friends, love between family, and love between teens and their first crush. Love is a difficult concept for Charlie due to his lack of social interaction and a family that doesn’t always express their love often. But Charlie’s freshman year teaches him a lot about learning to love and be loved.
Conflict
The major conflict is that Charlie feels he doesn’t belong. He is lonely and lost and he doesn’t know how to fit in. It is a struggle and conflict within him. Charlie tries to find himself and figure out who he is. From the beginning Charlie is delicate, fragile, and confused. With the death of people close to him and the beginning of a new section of his life he occurring, Charlie finds himself confused and emotionally lost. “I am both happy and sad and I’m still trying to figure out how that could be.” (2) Charlie makes friends though, and feels like he belongs somewhere and that he is happy. “And in that moment, I swear we were infinite.” (39) Sometimes things still slip for Charlie. He loses his way and his control over everything. “The policemen found me pale blue and asleep (in the snow)… maybe I should start seeing a psychiatrist again.” (99) Even in moments like this Charlie’s friends are there for him and support him. “Sam put her arm around my shoulder, and she said she knew what I was going through. She told me I shouldn’t worry about it.” (101) Charlie’s friends are what allow him to overcome his internal conflict. Charlie doesn’t completely find out who he is, but he has found a place in the world where he belongs. “So I guess we are who we are for a lot of reasons. And maybe we’ll never know most of them.” (211)
Symbolism
Wallflower
The most prominent symbolism in the story is the idea of being a wallflower, something (or someone) on the outside looking in. To be a wallflower is to be somebody who chooses to observe life, instead of experience it. Typically a wallflower would know a lot about people’s life from observing, and know how they act when they think nobody is around. Christopher, being the wallflower, is described as a shy, quiet, observer. “He’s a wallflower… You see things. You keep quiet about them. And you understand.” (37) Throughout the story Charlie is trying to break out of his shell of being a wallflower and learn how to participate and experience life.
Vocabulary
1. Auspicious: promising to or leading to success, favorable
“It seems like a rather auspicious beginning.” 86
2. Corpulent: large bulky fat
“The nice thing was my Aunt Helen was never on a diet. And my Aunt Helen was corpulent.” (16)
3. Jaded: worn out
“The kid is jaded.” 105
4. Nostalgia :a desire to return to a former time in one's life
“And nobody felt sad as long as we could postpone tomorrow with nostalgia.” 198
5. Morbid: unhealthy mental state or attitude gloomy
“I think wanting that is very morbid, but I want it when I get like this.” 94
Similar Work
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime tells the life of Christopher Boone, a young teen with autism, as he solves the murder of a dog. Christopher’s autism leaves him with daily challenges in communication, social interaction, and controlling his behavior that he works to overcome.
Similar to Christopher, Charlie in The Perks of Being a Wallflower shows many signs of slightly having Asperger syndrome, which is a form of autism. Charlie, though less severe than Christopher, is socially awkward, shows a certain bluntness and detachment in communication, and also finds it difficult to control his emotions and behavior.
Both characters narrate in a way that is very straight forward and blunt. They also react, say, think, and come to conclusions in very similar and peculiar ways. Many things that simply make sense in most people’s minds, doesn’t process well through theirs. Small things such as certain mannerisms and traits show big similarities between the two characters.
Both novels also pertain to a main character that is a young teen. Throughout both stories the main characters mature and learn valuable life lessons. While figuring out who they are, the characters find themselves mixed in a confusing world where they encounter new people, new experiences, and dark secrets. Through this they both come of age.
Other similarities include the format in which the books were written. Both The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime and The Perks of Being a Wallflower are written from the point of view of the main character. Also, both novels are epistolary novels. The Perks of Being a wallflower is a series of letters while The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime is a written similar to the format of a journal.
Reasons For Selecting
I selected The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky as my independent reading book. I first heard about the book froma friend on Facebook. After analyzing the synopsis and pursuing to examine reviews of the book I decided that I would enjoy reading The Perks of Being a Wallflower for this independent reading project. As I proceeded to read the book it supported my idea that I would enjoy it. I found the main character to be relatabl and the plot remained interesting. The story had depth and layers that kept me engrossed.
Genre
The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a young adult epistolary novel. The novel can be characterized in the genre of young adult because the story is written to relate to teenage readers. An example of a young adult book is a novel pertaining to the coming of age. The Perks of Being a Wallflower can be described as a coming of age novel, because it describes the life and struggles of a young teen as he grows up. “I start high school tomorrow and I am really afraid of going.” (6) This type of plot typically interests and entertains young adult readers due to the fact the main character is relatable. The Perks of Being a Wallflower is also an epistolary novel. An epistolary novel is a novel written in a series of documents usually in the form of letters. The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a novel consisting only of written letters sent to a recipient that remains anonymous to the reader. Though epistolary novels have a subjective point of view, they offer intimate insight into the characters’ thoughts and feelings.
Summary
The Perks of Being a Wallflower depicts the protagonist’s, Charlie’s, life through a series of letters he has written to be received by a person who remains unknown to the reader. Charlie only knows of this person through the word of mouth of other people. Charlie describes the recipient of the letters by stating “…you listen and understand and didn’t try to sleep with that person at the party even though you could have.” (2) And “…I think you of all people are alive and appreciate what that means. I hope you do because other people look to you for strength and friendship and it’s that simple. At least that’s what I’ve heard.” (2)
Charlie is a young teen about to begin high school. His family consists of his mother, who he repeatedly refers to as quiet, his stern father who is not keen on touching, a brother in college, and a sister who is a senior in high school. Charlie emphasizes how he greatly looked up to and cherished his Aunt Helen, who died in a car accident. “My Aunt Helen was my favorite person in the whole world.”(5)
Before starting high school, Charlie makes it known that the previous spring his good friend committed suicide. Because of this, Charlie describes his current emotions going into high school by saying “I am both happy and sad and I’m still trying to figure out how that could be.” (2)
As high school begins for Charlie, he is not very enthusiastic about it. Charlie describes himself as “pretty emotional” and “lonely”. He doesn’t have any friends; Charlie is more of a person to observe people. Yet Charlie immediately makes a special connection with his advanced English teacher, Bill. Bill understands and sees Charlie’s skill at reading and understanding language, as a result Billl assigns Charlie many extra books and essays to complete. As school continues Charlie befriends two seniors, Patrick and Sam. Charlie is instantly drawn to Sam. “I thought Sam was very pretty and nice, and she was the first girl I ever wanted to ask on a date…” (20) Charlie finds comfort in Sam and Patrick because they accept him and care about him even though he tends to be awkward and not fit in.
Sam, Patrick, and even Bill persuade Charlie to attempt participating in life more, rather than just observing. Charlie is introduced to a whole new world filled with parties, dances, first dates, new songs, long nights, drugs, and drama. Charlie still struggles though as he tries to figure out who he is and if he should live his life to the fullest or continue running away from it. “I don’t know if you’ve ever felt like that. That you wanted to sleep for a thousand years. Or just not exist. I think wanting that is very morbid, but I want it when I get like this. That’s why I’m trying not to think. I just want it all to stop spinning.” (94) Sometimes everything becomes so convoluted for Charlie in his new life, with drama occurring inside the family and with his friends. “I know things get worse before they get better because that’s what my psychiatrist says, but this is a worse that feels too big.” (139) But his friends are always there for him.
As the year comes to a close, and Sam and Patrick are getting ready to graduate, Charlie reflects on everything that occurred to him the past year. From being a shy wallflower to somebody who participates in life more, Charlie has changed a lot. Charlie realizes how important his friends are to him and that his life has purpose. “I guess we are who we are for a lot of reasons. And maybe we'll never know most of them. But even if we don’t have the power to choose where we come from, we can still choose where we go from there. We can still do things. And we can try to feel okay about them.” (211)
Characters
Charlie
Charlie is the protagonist in The Perks of Being a Wallflower. Charlie tells his life stories through a series of letters sent to an unknown person. He is a freshman who is still suffering and is fragile from the suicide of a good friend “I wish I knew. It might make me miss him more clearly. It might have made sad sense.” (4) and the death of his favorite aunt “…something very bad happened to her.” (4). Charlie is a quiet person who spends his time inside his thoughts. “I keep quiet most of the time.” (7) He seems to have future aspirations, but he doesn’t pursue much to put his goals into play or even worry about the future. Charlie begins to explore the world and learn more about himself after meeting new friends, Sam and Patrick. Sam and Patrick introduce him to a new world of drugs, sexuality, love, parties, relationships, death, friendship, lies and culpability. Charlie learns about life and how hard it can be, but also how amazing it can be. Sam and Patrick and all of Charlie’s new friends helped him learn the perks of being a wallflower.
Sam
Sam is a senior who befriends Charlie. She is Patrick’s stepsister and is a main influence on Charlie’s life. Sam is very outspoken, motivated, and affable. “I’m going to do what I want to do. I’m going to be who I really am. And I’m going to figure out what that is.” (202) Sam has many different relationships throughout the book with different guys, all the while dismissing Charlie’s crush on her. “You know you’re too young for me, Charlie? You do know that? I don’t want you to waste your time thinking about me that way.” (22) Sam does this hoping that Charlie will explore options and learn to find other people. Sam changes Charlie in many ways, helps him grow up, and helps him learn what true love is. Charlie would not have matured as a person without Sam’s guidance, care, and love for him.
Patrick
Patrick is a senior and Sam’s stepbrother. Patrick is openly gay and for a period of time was secretly dating the school’s quarterback, Brad. Patrick is teased and bullied at school for being gay but due to his mature and carefree personality, it doesn’t affect him too much. Patrick makes a difference in Charlie’s life by influencing Charlie’s taste in music and by helping Charlie mature by exposing Charlie to a new way of life, but Patrick for a period of time is very dependent on Charlie. After a harsh ending with his boyfriend Patrick relies on Charlie to pick him back up and help him as he recovers. With Charlie’s help Patrick is able to become his happy carefree self again. “I’ll tell you something, Charlie. I feel good. You know what I mean? Like I’m free or something. Like I don’t have to pretend anymore. I’m going away to college, right? It’ll be different there. You know what I mean?” (156)
Big Ideas
Friendship
Charlie finds himself in very dark and sad places. Without the support and love of his friends he would not have been able to overcome certain dark and depressed parts of his life. On the contrast, Charlie would not have been in some of those depressed states without his friends. If he had stayed alone as a wallflower different fights, break ups, and controversies might have never occurred that caused such sadness. Charlie might not have been the best friend either, but everybody does what they can and for some reason something keeps them all together in a friendship that in inseparable.
Coming of Age
Charlie beginning the year with a wide eyed and childlike view on the world experiences many changes his freshman year. After meeting some of his best friends, beginning use in drugs and alcohol, as well as learning deep secrets pertaining to himself and his family, Charlie finds himself growing up and coming of age.
Literature and Writing
Charlie’s English teacher Bill encourages Charlie to read, and to think critically about his reading. As a result, throughout the story, Charlie reads many books that are usually great classics. Charlie also does many writing assignments on these books. The reader views Charlie’s writing in a very unique way because the novel is basically a large collection of Charlie’s writing and letters. Along with Charlie’s writing, the book makes many references to other writings and poems that help set moods in the story and provide layers and depth into the characters and plot.
Love
Many different types of love are present throughout the novel. Examples include love between friends, love between family, and love between teens and their first crush. Love is a difficult concept for Charlie due to his lack of social interaction and a family that doesn’t always express their love often. But Charlie’s freshman year teaches him a lot about learning to love and be loved.
Conflict
The major conflict is that Charlie feels he doesn’t belong. He is lonely and lost and he doesn’t know how to fit in. It is a struggle and conflict within him. Charlie tries to find himself and figure out who he is. From the beginning Charlie is delicate, fragile, and confused. With the death of people close to him and the beginning of a new section of his life he occurring, Charlie finds himself confused and emotionally lost. “I am both happy and sad and I’m still trying to figure out how that could be.” (2) Charlie makes friends though, and feels like he belongs somewhere and that he is happy. “And in that moment, I swear we were infinite.” (39) Sometimes things still slip for Charlie. He loses his way and his control over everything. “The policemen found me pale blue and asleep (in the snow)… maybe I should start seeing a psychiatrist again.” (99) Even in moments like this Charlie’s friends are there for him and support him. “Sam put her arm around my shoulder, and she said she knew what I was going through. She told me I shouldn’t worry about it.” (101) Charlie’s friends are what allow him to overcome his internal conflict. Charlie doesn’t completely find out who he is, but he has found a place in the world where he belongs. “So I guess we are who we are for a lot of reasons. And maybe we’ll never know most of them.” (211)
Symbolism
The most prominent symbolism in the story is the idea of being a wallflower, something (or someone) on the outside looking in. To be a wallflower is to be somebody who chooses to observe life, instead of experience it. Typically a wallflower would know a lot about people’s life from observing, and know how they act when they think nobody is around. Christopher, being the wallflower, is described as a shy, quiet, observer. “He’s a wallflower… You see things. You keep quiet about them. And you understand.” (37) Throughout the story Charlie is trying to break out of his shell of being a wallflower and learn how to participate and experience life.
Vocabulary
1. Auspicious: promising to or leading to success, favorable
“It seems like a rather auspicious beginning.” 86
2. Corpulent: large bulky fat
“The nice thing was my Aunt Helen was never on a diet. And my Aunt Helen was corpulent.” (16)
3. Jaded: worn out
“The kid is jaded.” 105
4. Nostalgia :a desire to return to a former time in one's life
“And nobody felt sad as long as we could postpone tomorrow with nostalgia.” 198
5. Morbid: unhealthy mental state or attitude gloomy
“I think wanting that is very morbid, but I want it when I get like this.” 94
Similar Work
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime tells the life of Christopher Boone, a young teen with autism, as he solves the murder of a dog. Christopher’s autism leaves him with daily challenges in communication, social interaction, and controlling his behavior that he works to overcome.
Similar to Christopher, Charlie in The Perks of Being a Wallflower shows many signs of slightly having Asperger syndrome, which is a form of autism. Charlie, though less severe than Christopher, is socially awkward, shows a certain bluntness and detachment in communication, and also finds it difficult to control his emotions and behavior.
Both characters narrate in a way that is very straight forward and blunt. They also react, say, think, and come to conclusions in very similar and peculiar ways. Many things that simply make sense in most people’s minds, doesn’t process well through theirs. Small things such as certain mannerisms and traits show big similarities between the two characters.
Both novels also pertain to a main character that is a young teen. Throughout both stories the main characters mature and learn valuable life lessons. While figuring out who they are, the characters find themselves mixed in a confusing world where they encounter new people, new experiences, and dark secrets. Through this they both come of age.
Other similarities include the format in which the books were written. Both The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime and The Perks of Being a Wallflower are written from the point of view of the main character. Also, both novels are epistolary novels. The Perks of Being a wallflower is a series of letters while The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime is a written similar to the format of a journal.
Good Reads Link
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/428861843
http://www.glogster.com/clwilson16/quarter-2-ind-reading-project-claire-wilson/g-6l3mdbumkbmd4rippgev7a0